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Additional Credits

This project was greatly facilitated by the invaluable support of Sam Mars, Dawn Lea Chalmers, Kim Mills, John Wachob and Laura Thrash. Special thanks also are due to the entire Mars family for permitting the photographer to use "The Mars Hangar" as an oasis from the oppressive mid-summer heat of the red clay hills of Mississippi.

After a twenty-five-year career in social psychology documenting some of the most disturbing human behaviors, I studied photography and began a second career in fine art and documentary photography toward the goal of spending the next twenty-five years documenting brighter aspects of the human condition. In direct contrast to developing treatment paradigms for violent juvenile offenders and victims of child sexual abuse, I am drawn to projects focusing on the wonderment of individuality, particularly in context of spotlighting unpretentious persons with gentle spirits and other persons who traditionally go unnoticed.

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michael@j-michael-whitaker.com

Additional Project Photographs

The full version of this project contains 104 B&W and 21 color photographs. Additional photographs from this projects may be viewed via the following link to the photographer's personal website:

With more than 600 cabins, there are numerous "streets" and neighborhoods within the Fair grounds. This is a view down one such "street" of Fair cabins.

The Neshoba County Fair® began in Philadelphia, MS, in 1889. It has been on the National Registry of Historic Places since 1980 and is affectionately known as Mississippi’s Giant Houseparty®.

The Fair is a campground fair during which most participants reside on Fair property in 600 cabins and 200 RV lots passed down from generation to generation.There is a range of traditional fair events, including a midway, rodeo, mule races and pulls, harness and horse racing, farm-related competitions and numerous music venues.However, interpersonal interactions and simple conversations are the glue that bind fairgoers together and has kept them coming back for over 100 years.

The Neshoba County Fair® began in Philadelphia, MS, in 1889. It has been on the National Registry of Historic Places since 1980 and is affectionately known as Mississippi’s Giant Houseparty®.

The Fair is a campground fair during which most participants reside on Fair property in 600 cabins and 200 RV lots passed down from generation to generation.There is a range of traditional fair events, including a midway, rodeo, mule races and pulls, harness and horse racing, farm-related competitions and numerous music venues.However, interpersonal interactions and simple conversations are the glue that bind fairgoers together and has kept them coming back for over 100 years.

This project was greatly facilitated by the invaluable support of Sam Mars, Dawn Lea Chalmers, Kim Mills, John Wachob and Laura Thrash. Special thanks also are due to the entire Mars family for permitting the photographer to use "The Mars Hangar" as an oasis from the oppressive mid-summer heat of the red clay hills of Mississippi.

After a twenty-five-year career in social psychology documenting some of the most disturbing human behaviors, I studied photography and began a second career in fine art and documentary photography toward the goal of spending the next twenty-five years documenting brighter aspects of the human condition. In direct contrast to developing treatment paradigms for violent juvenile offenders and victims of child sexual abuse, I am drawn to projects focusing on the wonderment of individuality, particularly in context of spotlighting unpretentious persons with gentle spirits and other persons who traditionally go unnoticed.

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Michael Whitaker | Very Close and Personal: The 2010 Neshoba County Fair® | United States

With more than 600 cabins, there are numerous "streets" and neighborhoods within the Fair grounds. This is a view down one such "street" of Fair cabins.

Michael Whitaker | Very Close and Personal: The 2010 Neshoba County Fair® | United States

There is a rich history of tales and stories associated with each cabin so many families maintain a photo gallery representing the history of individual cabins.

Michael Whitaker | Very Close and Personal: The 2010 Neshoba County Fair® | United States

Mules were used before tractors because of their abilities to pull heavy loads. Mule pulling competitions involve attaching teams of mules to sleds with heavy weights to see which team is capable of pulling the heaviest load.

Michael Whitaker | Very Close and Personal: The 2010 Neshoba County Fair® | United States

Mule racing is a nationally recognized sport included in Fair activities.

Michael Whitaker | Very Close and Personal: The 2010 Neshoba County Fair® | United States

This daughter and mother sharing Fair stories on the front porch swing of their cabin is a very typical scene associated with the family-oriented nature of the Fair.

Michael Whitaker | Very Close and Personal: The 2010 Neshoba County Fair® | United States

The most visible attraction of the Fair midway is the Ring-of-Fire ride.

Michael Whitaker | Very Close and Personal: The 2010 Neshoba County Fair® | United States

The Himalayan is one of the most popular rides on the Fair midway.

Michael Whitaker | Very Close and Personal: The 2010 Neshoba County Fair® | United States

As manifested on the t-shirt in the foreground, the Ferris Wheel is one of the iconic images of the Fair midway.

Michael Whitaker | Very Close and Personal: The 2010 Neshoba County Fair® | United States

The "Win Live Bunnies" game appeared to be one of the most popular attractions on the Fair midway. Subsequently, there were frequent encounters on the midway and throughout cabin areas with children carrying and playing with live rabbits.

Michael Whitaker | Very Close and Personal: The 2010 Neshoba County Fair® | United States

The Fair generally is fast paced but it is possible to occasionally find individuals taking breaks from the action and midday heat of the Fair.

Michael Whitaker | Very Close and Personal: The 2010 Neshoba County Fair® | United States

Interactions within of the Mills-Kuykendall cabin (Cabin #174) provide a representative view of typical cabin interiors, i.e., the first floor includes the kitchen, dining and living areas with stairs leading to upper levels containing dorms and/or bedrooms.

Michael Whitaker | Very Close and Personal: The 2010 Neshoba County Fair® | United States

The rodeo is a two night event. Pictured here is a contestant in the bronc riding competition.

Michael Whitaker | Very Close and Personal: The 2010 Neshoba County Fair® | United States

Race horses with jockeys up are led from the paddock area to the race track.

Michael Whitaker | Very Close and Personal: The 2010 Neshoba County Fair® | United States

Occasionally pre-race activities are less formal than those associated with commercial race tracks.

Michael Whitaker | Very Close and Personal: The 2010 Neshoba County Fair® | United States

Three horses with jockeys during pre-race warm-up pass a portion of the track without an outside rail between the track and adjacent cabins and spectators.

Michael Whitaker | Very Close and Personal: The 2010 Neshoba County Fair® | United States

Fans gather at the fence to watch horses rounding the turn at the 7/8 pole into the home stretch of the race. The horse in fourth place on the rail was being cutoff by another horse at the instant of this photo.

Michael Whitaker | Very Close and Personal: The 2010 Neshoba County Fair® | United States

There is a classic auto show in Founders Square on Sunday following a religious service in the Fair pavilion.

Michael Whitaker | Very Close and Personal: The 2010 Neshoba County Fair® | United States

Attended by hundreds of persons, there is a hugely-popular talent contest held in the Fair pavilion. With sawdust on the floor as alternate entertainment, it is not necessary for all spectators to pay attention to the competition occurring on stage.

Michael Whitaker | Very Close and Personal: The 2010 Neshoba County Fair® | United States

Three boys lean on the track rail in anticipation of the next race. Children and youth are permitted to attend races since formal wagering is not permitted.

Michael Whitaker | Very Close and Personal: The 2010 Neshoba County Fair® | United States

Harness racing at the Fair involves two laps around the track. With cabins in such close proximity to the track, many persons attend race parties while viewing harness and horse racing from track-side cabins.

Michael Whitaker | Very Close and Personal: The 2010 Neshoba County Fair® | United States

There are evening musical performances by nationally-known bands every night on the stage in the infield of the race track. On the first night of the Fair fans are permitted to crowd in front of the stage on the track between the stage and the grandstands.

Michael Whitaker | Very Close and Personal: The 2010 Neshoba County Fair® | United States

This photo is of a group of fans waiting for an evening concert to begin. It is included because it represents the degree to which boots are prevalent in the attire of female Fair participants.

Michael Whitaker | Very Close and Personal: The 2010 Neshoba County Fair® | United States

There are many ways of making political statements without using posters or speeches, as possibly demonstrated by this lady.

Michael Whitaker | Very Close and Personal: The 2010 Neshoba County Fair® | United States

A high school student is wrangling her cow into position during one of the many livestock competitions hosted by the Fair.

Michael Whitaker | Very Close and Personal: The 2010 Neshoba County Fair® | United States

From harness and horse racing to musical concerts, many Fair events are witnessed from the race track grandstands.

Michael Whitaker | Very Close and Personal: The 2010 Neshoba County Fair® | United States

Participants proudly proclaim the number of Fairs they have attended. This expectant mother had a Fair cabin scene painted to document and celebrate the first Fair for her unborn baby. The caption in the painting is, "Charlie's Fair Cabin 2010."

Michael Whitaker | Very Close and Personal: The 2010 Neshoba County Fair® | United States

This is a near-midnight photo of the exterior of "The Mars Hangar," the Founders Square cabin of the Mars family that was this photographer's oasis from the mid-summer heat of the red clay hills of Mississippi for the duration of this project.